Roly Philpott 1925 - 2012

Posted on 27th May, 2013

Roly Philpott 1925 - 2012

Many of you will remember Roly for his habit of walking and cycling round the village and surrounding countryside. This is something he did for years both as a farrier and blacksmith as he rode from job to job and also as a mobile hairdresser, cutting the hair of families and farm workers. I'll be you didn't know that!

Roly was born in West Farleigh and apart from a few years spent his life in the village. He was married to Ivy, but there were no children. Ivy died many years ago and Roly regularly visited her grave in All Saint's where his brothers are also laid to rest. He always took flowers that he grew in profusion.

Roly was a keen sportsman in his younger days and played cricket and football for West Farleigh Sports Club. In later years he was often found on the touchline supporting the team. When he wasn't on the pitch he was on his bike cycling through the countryside he loved.

In later years Roly was not able to cycle, but he still went for long walks and often sat on the bench on the green to enjoy the views across the valley. It is this bench that now bears a memorial plaque attached to it by his relatives pictured here. They live in the West Country and looked after Roly in his twilight years.

The bench was originally given to the village by the Motorcycle Action Group about ten years ago and they were delighted to have it rededicated in Roly's memory.

If you sit on the bench, think of Roly with a smile. It's what he'd like.